British Science Festival 2009 | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/science/british-science-festival-2009
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Science Weekly podcast: Royal Society book prize, London's new cocoon, and the world's quietest buildinghttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/audio/2009/sep/14/science-weekly-podcast
Alok Jha discusses the Royal Society science book prize, stories emerging from the British Science Festival, the opening of London's new Darwin Centre, and Bristol's silent building<br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/competition/2009/aug/18/royal-society-science-book-prize">Click here to enter our competition to win all six books shortlisted for the Royal Society science book prize</a> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/audio/2009/sep/14/science-weekly-podcast">Continue reading...</a>ScienceEnvironmentRoyal Society Winton Prize for Science BooksCarbon capture and storage (CCS)MuseumsMuseumsBooksCharles DarwinBritish Science Festival 2009Solar powerBritish Science FestivalSun, 13 Sep 2009 23:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/audio/2009/sep/14/science-weekly-podcastGuardianThe New Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London. Photograph: David LeveneAlok Jha, green technology correspondent, and Andy Duckworth2009-09-13T23:01:00ZSolar sails set for voyages in the ocean of spacehttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/10/solar-sail-space-exploration
Sailing spacecraft will be able to navigate space and reach impressive speeds without carrying heavy payloads of fuel<p>While sailing remains a purely Earth-bound pursuit for now, it could one day be the means of propulsion for hitherto impossible space missions.</p><p>Speaking at the <a href="http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/BritishScienceFestival/">British Science Festival</a> in Guildford, <a href="http://www.mecheng.strath.ac.uk/staffprofile.asp?id=97">Professor Colin McInnes of Strathclyde University</a> described the physics and feasibility of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail">solar sailing</a>, which harnesses the &quot;pressure&quot; of the sun's radiation.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/10/solar-sail-space-exploration">Continue reading...</a>ScienceSatellitesSpaceBritish Science Festival 2009TechnologyEnvironmentPolar regionsBritish Science FestivalThu, 10 Sep 2009 17:57:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/10/solar-sail-space-explorationJoel W Rogers/CorbisChanging the orientation of a solar sail will allow a spacecraft to change the plane of its orbit around a planet or the sun. Photograph: Joel W Rogers/CorbisChris Ison/PASimon Choppin2009-09-10T17:57:21ZVitamin junkies are flushing their money down the toilethttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/10/optimum-vitamin-dose-supplements
Unless you have particular dietary needs, vitamin supplements are probably a waste of money and may even be harmful, a nutritionist told a meeting at the British Science Festival<p>Some of us wouldn't dream of starting the day without imbibing a carefully considered combination of vitamins, minerals and biochemical supplements. These are taken safe in the knowledge (or delusion?) that we will benefit from good health, longer life and a general feeling of wellbeing.</p><p>Speaking yesterday at the <a href="http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/BritishScienceFestival/">British Science Festival</a>, <a href="http://www.rgu.ac.uk/life/aboutus/page.cfm?pge=44993">Professor Brian Ratcliffe</a> of Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen argued that most people should simply consume a varied diet containing a number of different vitamins and minerals. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/10/optimum-vitamin-dose-supplements">Continue reading...</a>NutritionBritish Science Festival 2009ScienceNutritionLife and styleBritish Science FestivalThu, 10 Sep 2009 14:37:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/10/optimum-vitamin-dose-supplementsRui Vieira/PAAround 75% of the vitamin C in expensive high-dose supplements ends up being flushed down the toilet. Orange anyone? Photograph: PA Photograph: Rui Vieira/PAGettyVitamin pills and capsule health supplements Photograph: GettySimon Choppin2009-09-10T14:37:57ZStone man is latest addition to neolithic farmyardhttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/10/stone-figurine-man-catalhoyuk
The figurine was dug up at the ancient site of Çatalhöyük in Turkey, which is thought to have been home for some of the world's first farmers<p>A reclining man with a bushy beard and big nose is the latest to join a haul of stone figurines unearthed at the ancient site of <a href="http://www.catalhoyuk.com/">&Ccedil;atalh&ouml;y&uuml;k</a> in Turkey. The sculpture, which measures around six inches high, was uncovered at the neolithic site last week. </p><p>&Ccedil;atalh&ouml;y&uuml;k was the final resting place of some of the world's first farmers. Other figurines representing farmyard animals and people in sitting and standing positions have already been excavated at the site, which dates back to the dawn of farming some 9,000 years ago.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/10/stone-figurine-man-catalhoyuk">Continue reading...</a>ScienceArchaeologyAnthropologyAgricultureBritish Science Festival 2009British Science FestivalThu, 10 Sep 2009 12:58:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/10/stone-figurine-man-catalhoyukJason Quinlan/Çatalhöyük Research ProjectStone figurine of a reclining man found at Çatalhöyük in Turkey. Photograph: Jason Quinlan/Çatalhöyük Research ProjectJason Quinlan/Çatalhöyük Research ProjectStone figurine of a reclining man found at the neolithic burial site Çatalhöyük in Turkey, which is thought to be the 9,000-year-old final resting place of some of the world's first farmers. Photograph: Jason Quinlan/Çatalhöyük Research ProjectIan Sample2009-09-10T12:58:39ZRecipe book aims to ward off prostate cancerhttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/09/recipe-book-prostate-cancer-nutritionist
<p>A nutritionist claims her new cook book, &quot;based on science&quot;, could help men avoid and even cope better with prostate cancer. The recipes, compiled by researchers at the University of Surrey in Guildford, led by Professor Margaret Rayman, are based on &quot;superfoods&quot; and include cruciferous vegetables, tomatoes, soya, and pomegranates. &quot;I wanted to write a cookbook backed up by scientific knowledge,&quot; Rayman told the British Science Festival, taking place at the university. The book's tips include leaving garlic and onion for 10 minutes after chopping and before cooking to enhance the chemical reactions.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/09/recipe-book-prostate-cancer-nutritionist">Continue reading...</a>Prostate cancerLife and styleNutritionNutritionBritish Science Festival 2009ScienceUK newsUniversity of SurreyEducationCancerMen's healthBritish Science FestivalWed, 09 Sep 2009 19:44:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/09/recipe-book-prostate-cancer-nutritionistPress Association2009-09-09T19:44:35ZThe house that twittershttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/09/house-twitter-energy-usage
Andy Stanford-Clark's cottage tells him everything from how much power it's using to whether he has left a window open. But his dream is a nationwide 'smart grid' of energy providers and users that will help minimise Britain's carbon emissions<p>A greenhouse that remarks on the weather, a glowing sphere that lets you know if you're using too much electricity and a team of Christmas reindeer that light up when they receive a text message. Ridley Scott's latest suburban-based epic? No, it's the house that tweets.</p><p>Last night, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Stanford-Clark">Dr Andy Stanford-Clark</a>, IBM engineer and master inventor, <a href="http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/forms/festival/events/showevent2.asp?EventID=209">gave a talk at the British Science Festival</a> describing how he has filled his 16th century thatched cottage with sensors that tell him everything from how much water he's using to whether he has left a window open.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/09/house-twitter-energy-usage">Continue reading...</a>British Science Festival 2009ScienceTechnologyTwitterEnvironmentGreenhouse gas emissionsCarbon footprintsGreen buildingBritish Science FestivalWed, 09 Sep 2009 16:56:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/sep/09/house-twitter-energy-usageSimon Choppin2009-09-09T16:56:00ZPatients denied osteoporosis drughttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/08/brittle-bone-osteoporosis-drug-treatment
Better, but more expensive, treatment will not be assessed by Nice for three years<p>Thousands of British women are being denied modern drugs to treat a common bone-thinning disease because guidelines surrounding its use are too stringent, doctors warn.</p><p>The majority of patients who are diagnosed with osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become dangerously brittle in old age, are prescribed a weekly pill, even though a more effective once-a-year injection is available.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/08/brittle-bone-osteoporosis-drug-treatment">Continue reading...</a>British Science Festival 2009Medical researchScienceUK newsBritish Science FestivalTue, 08 Sep 2009 09:52:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/08/brittle-bone-osteoporosis-drug-treatmentAlan Boyde/Wellcome Trust Medical Photographic LibraryOsteoclasts on a vertebral bone in an osteoporosis sufferer. Photograph: Alan Boyde/Wellcome Trust Medical Photographic LibraryAlan Boyde/Wellcome Trust Medical Photographic LibraryOsteoclasts on a vertebral bone in an osteoporosis sufferer. Photograph: Alan Boyde/Wellcome Trust Medical Photographic LibraryIan Sample, Science correspondent2009-09-08T09:52:15ZAn orchestra of lost instrumentshttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/07/ancient-musical-instruments-revived
Get ready to hear the sound of an epigonion, a phormix, an aulos and a bit of driving barbiton<p>An orchestra of ancient instruments, many of which exist only in paintings and yellowing manuscripts, will perform its first concert at the end of the year.</p><p>Many of the instruments have not been heard since the times of Socrates in the fifth century BC, though some of the instruments date back even further, to the bronze age a thousand years earlier.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/07/ancient-musical-instruments-revived">Continue reading...</a>British Science Festival 2009ScienceTechnologyMusicBritish Science FestivalMon, 07 Sep 2009 16:59:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/07/ancient-musical-instruments-revivedIan Sample, Science correspondent2009-09-07T16:59:33ZRacing green: Recycled car to debut at Brands Hatchhttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/07/green-recycled-racing-car
Car powered by wine and chocolate and made from carrot tops and drinks bottles will line up in Formula Three race<p>A racing car built from recycled drinks bottles, old aircraft panels and carrot tops will line up for its first competitive race next month.</p><p>The Formula Three car, which runs on fuel derived from chocolate waste and wine dregs, will take part in a race at the iconic Brands Hatch circuit in Kent.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/07/green-recycled-racing-car">Continue reading...</a>British Science Festival 2009ScienceEnergy researchRecyclingEnvironmentUK newsTravel and transportWasteChocolateBritish Science FestivalMon, 07 Sep 2009 14:26:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/07/green-recycled-racing-carUniversity of Warwick/Public DomainPowered by chocolate, steered by carrots and a body made of potatoes, but it goes from 0 to 60 faster than any other Formula Three car. Photograph: University of WarwickUniversity of Warwick/Public DomainPowered by chocolate, steered by carrots and a body made of potatoes, but it goes from 0 to 60 faster than any other Formula Three car. Photograph: University of Warwick/Public DomainIan Sample, science correspondent2009-09-07T14:26:32ZShort-haired bumblebee to be repopulated in UKhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/07/short-haired-bumblebee-repopulated
Descendants of the lost UK bumblebee will be brought from New Zealand to Dungeness in what could be a landmark repopulation programme<p>British conservationists have drawn up plans to repopulate the countryside with a species of bumblebee that was declared extinct here nearly a decade ago.</p><p>The <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/01/wildlife-conservation" title="short-haired bumblebee officially died out in the UK in 2000">short-haired bumblebee officially died out in the UK in 2000</a>, but descendents of the doomed community live on in small pockets of New Zealand, where they were taken to pollinate red clover in the late 19th century.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/07/short-haired-bumblebee-repopulated">Continue reading...</a>InsectsWildlifeBritish Science Festival 2009ConservationEnvironmentAnimalsBritish Science FestivalMon, 07 Sep 2009 09:03:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/07/short-haired-bumblebee-repopulatedBumblebee Conservation Trust/Dave GoulsonA queen short-haired bumblebee, one of a species which died out in the UK, but survived in New Zealand after being shipped there more than 100 years ago, is to be reintroduced in the UK. Photograph: Bumblebee Conservation Trust/Dave GoulsonBumblebee Conservation Trust/Dave GoulsonA queen short-haired bumblebee, a kind of bumblebee which died out in the UK, but survived in New Zealand after being shipped there more than 100 years ago, is to be reintroduced here under plans announced today.&#10;&#10; Photograph: Bumblebee Conservation Trust/Dave GoulsonIan Sample, science correspondent2009-09-07T09:03:47ZHonesty not best policy, survey of public attitudes suggestshttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/07/survey-lawyers-honesty-public-attitudes
British criminal lawyers quiz 15,000 people for their views on morally dubious scenarios<p>Hang your head in shame. A major survey of public attitudes towards dishonesty has revealed a nation dominated by chancers, cheats and petty thieves.</p><p>More than two-thirds of people have stolen stationery from work, copied CDs for friends, or kept quiet when undercharged in shops, a study by British criminal lawyers shows. Meanwhile, significant numbers confessed they would make fraudulent insurance claims, deceive people online and plagiarise internet articles for college assignments if the chance arose. Others said they would steal DVDs or use a colleague's account to shop online.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/07/survey-lawyers-honesty-public-attitudes">Continue reading...</a>British Science Festival 2009PsychologyScienceBrunel University LondonEducationCrimeUK newsBritish Science FestivalSun, 06 Sep 2009 23:05:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/07/survey-lawyers-honesty-public-attitudesIan Sample2009-09-06T23:05:14ZLeading scientist calls on religious leaders to tackle climate changehttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/sep/07/global-warming-religion
President of the British Science Association, Lord May, says faith groups could lead policing of social behaviour<p>Religious leaders should play a frontline role in mobilising people to take action against global warming, according to a leading scientist.</p><p>Lord May, a former chief scientist to the government, said religious groups could use their influence to motivate believers into reducing the environmental impact of their lives.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/sep/07/global-warming-religion">Continue reading...</a>British Science Festival 2009ScienceUK newsReligionClimate changeClimate changeBritish Science FestivalSun, 06 Sep 2009 23:05:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/sep/07/global-warming-religionIan Sample2009-09-06T23:05:12ZAlzheimer's research links three genes to diseasehttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/06/alzheimers-disease-genes-research
Findings hailed as 'huge step' towards earlier testing and better treatment for Alzheimer's<p>Scientists have discovered a trio of genetic mutations that account for nearly 100,000 cases of Alzheimer's disease in Britain today.</p><p>Three genes that protect the brain from damage and ensure neurons work properly were found to be impaired in many patients with the disease, in the largest genetic study of the condition yet.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/06/alzheimers-disease-genes-research">Continue reading...</a>British Science Festival 2009Medical researchGeneticsAlzheimer'sHealthScienceLife and styleSocietyBritish Science FestivalSun, 06 Sep 2009 17:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/06/alzheimers-disease-genes-researchIan Sample, science correspondent2009-09-06T17:05:00ZSimon Singh: My quest for a perfectly awful formulahttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/02/perfect-formula-festival-science
Over the years mathematicians have given us the perfect biscuit, the perfect marriage, the perfect joke and the perfect penalty, now <strong>Simon Singh</strong> needs your help finding the perfect phoney formula<p>The <a href="http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/forms/festival/events/showevent2.asp?EventID=24">British Science Festival</a> kicks off tomorrow at the University of Surrey and on Sunday I will be giving a lecture discussing those quirky equations that seem to appear in the press every few weeks purporting to describe everyday phenomena. </p><p>For example, you may remember the equations that supposedly calculated <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1491484/Scientists-reveal-formula-for-perfect-sitcom.html">the perfect TV sitcom</a>, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2158104/Today-is-the-happiest-day-of-the-year-according-to-Cliff-Arnalls-maths-formula.html">the best day of the year</a>, or <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/5105802.stm">the likelihood of scoring from a penalty</a>. You can find lots more documented at the blog <a href="http://www.apathysketchpad.com/blog/2008/06/21/the-perfect-formula/">Apathy Sketchpad</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/02/perfect-formula-festival-science">Continue reading...</a>ScienceBritish Science Festival 2009MathematicsMediaNewspapersBritish Science FestivalScience and scepticismFri, 04 Sep 2009 10:36:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/sep/02/perfect-formula-festival-sciencePA/PRIt may look impressive, but formulae for calculating things like the perfect horror movie are usually thinly veiled PR. Photograph: PA/PRPA/PRMathematical formula claiming to describe the perfect horror movie. Photograph: PA/PRSimon Singh2009-09-04T10:36:36Z